Asymmetrical helm

My old Tornado cat has strong weather helm on a starboard tack and strong lee helm on a port tack. Obvisouly some asymmmerty somewhere. Any suggestions on where to look? Using sail trim I have to stall the main on one tack and luff it on the other just to make the helm managable.

Thnaks, Michael
are your rudders on backwards? kidding

perhaps your mast is not over the CE
perhaps your boards are not tucked under the same
perhaps a board or rudder is warped
I have had something similar when one rudder wasn't quite locking down right,

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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
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1982 Prindle 18
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I sailed my 5.7 that way for a year. I put levels on the mast,thinking one shroud was shorter, checked rudders, diagonals etc. I looked for a bent mast, & made sure rudders were the same geometry. I measured the ends of the hulls & found they were not in alignment. I finally pinned it to a front beam that had a slight kink, right near the connection to the starboard hull. This forced one hull into a lean, & pointing off center. I replaced the front beam.

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+1 Edchris177

i was just thinking this weekend, that your beams are not square
Some good ideas. I'm off to take some measurements.

Thnaks for you help,

Michael
Edchris177I finally pinned it to a front beam that had a slight kink, right near the connection to the starboard hull. This forced one hull into a lean, & pointing off center.

Nice find.
It wouldn't take much of a kink to give this effect.

sandrimr check the crossbar beds in the hulls for integrity.
A sloppy mount (fiberglass or hardware) would give the same effeect.



Edited by klozhald on Dec 13, 2011 - 08:50 AM.

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